Objective: To describe a novel technique for paraesophageal abscess drainage in a dog.Case summary: A 6-year-old dog presented for pyrexia of unknown origin, subsequently confirmed to be due to a paraesophageal abscess. This was managed by the ultrasound-guided placement of a thoracostomy tube into the abscess, allowing drainage to be performed. This led to clinical resolution and, at an 8-month follow-up, the dog continued to do well. New or unique information provided: Paraesophageal abscessation is typically managed with surgical intervention, which carries inherent risks and complications. This report describes a novel technique that did not require general anesthesia or invasive surgical intervention, achieving clinical remission without any adverse effects. It also summarizes the current literature available on this condition.
K E Y W O R D Scanine, cyst, thoracostomy, ultrasound A 6-year-old neutered female German Shorthaired Pointer weighing 23.9 kg presented to the primary care veterinarian with chronic weight loss and an acute history of productive coughing that was managed with meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg, SC) and parenteral vitamin B 12 (500 µg/kg, SC). a,b The dog became progressively hyporexic, and a course of oxytetracycline (25 mg/kg, PO, q 12 h) was started. c At re-presentation 72 h later, the dog was pyrexic at 39.9 • C and estimated to be 5-7% dehydrated. A CBC identified a neutrophilia at 17.01 × 10 9 /L (17 010/µL) (reference interval [RI], 2.95-11.64 × 10 9 /L [2950-11 640/µL]) with suspected band neutrophil presence on the automated analyzer and a monocytosis of 2.21 × 10 9 /L (2210/µL) (RI, 0.16-1.12 × 10 9 /L [160-1120/µL]). Right lateral radiographs of the thorax were performed (Figure 1). On the lateral thoracic projection, there was a large, rounded, well-demarcated soft tissue mass in the caudoventral thorax, extending from the 8th to the 12th intercostal space, superimposed on the cardiac silhouette and diaphragm. At this point, the dog was referred for further evaluation.